FEW PEOPLE LIKELY TO GET FOOD REFUND

Despite expectations that thousands of elderly people might be due refunds from a group that distributed federal surplus food in Palm Beach County, it appears only a handful will get their money back.

The founder of the now-defunct group, Golden Gators, mailed a check for $37.50 to the state Attorney General's Office on Sept. 16 -- enough to cover refunds of $7.50 to just five people.

"There might be one or two more (getting refunds), but that would be it," said Michael Hardwick, who started the non-profit organization in West Palm Beach five years ago.

Hardwick signed an agreement in February with Attorney General Jim Smith to return the $7.50 "membership" fees to people who thought they had to pay the money in order to receive free government cheese, butter and other commodities. It is illegal to charge money for the food.

Smith had said thousands of people might be eligible for refunds, and 596 people actually wrote to the Attorney General's Office to ask for their money back.

However, only 40 submitted affidavits that were required by the office, court records show.

Eunice Tall Baros, an assistant attorney general, said she will review the affidavits to decide whether more people are entitled to refunds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has a claim of $361,576 pending against the Golden Gators for food the organization was given but cannot account for. "It's still an active claim, and we still intend to pursue it," said spokesman Kent Taylor.